The Spa at Terranea

Take a mini-staycation and drive to the Palos Verdes Peninsula to Terranea resort and spa. The hotel, perched above the Pacific, is the ideal getaway, just 20 minutes from LAX. Hit a few rounds of golf, take a jog on the beach and head to the spa to unwind. The sprawling 50,000-square-foot spa facility is a destination in and of itself with its own boutique, pool, gym and cafe. Sign up for a complimentary workout class in the fitness studio—offerings include open-air cycling with vast ocean views—or catch some rays by the private spa pool while waiting for your treatment. On a budget? Gain access to the spa facility (we'll leave that sneaking part up to you) and enjoy the grounds, including steam rooms, women's and men's lounges as well as separate outdoor cold plunge pools and Jacuzzis. Large parties are welcomed—the spa even has a group spa menu and wedding party packages—adding to the resort's popularity as a wedding destination. Instead of taking a dip in the sparkling ocean, opt for the Ocean Prelude (120 min/$375), a full-body treatment that incorporates elements from the sea. Follow your therapist to the second story—the spa boasts 25 treatment rooms and three VIP suites—and enter the first door on the left to an airy room. The Ocean Prelude takes places in a treatment room with a copper bathtub, two treatment beds and the pièce de résistance—a balcony which adds the soundtrack of waves during treatment as well as Instagram-worthy views. The rather lengthy treatment starts with dry brushing to promote circulation and is then followed by a bright green seaweed wrap (not recommended for the claustrophobic), where your body is wrapped in a mylar caccoon to absorb the nutrients from the seaweed. Once unwrapped, take a dip in the saltwater soak, and the treatment tops it all off with a full-body massage—all while you're listening to the waves crashing below. And if you don't want the relaxation to end, post-treatment your therapist will guide you to the nearby quiet room, where you can retreat until the end of the day.